Benicia digital billboard OK'd over business' objections

BENICIA -- Over objections of a neighboring property owner, the City Council has narrowly upheld an earlier decision to OK a digital billboard along I-680.

Fighting the project were the owners of Insight Glass, Inc., who say they have spent millions to upgrade their facility on Park Road.

"We'd change our attitude about the city of Benicia if you shove this sign as proposed down our throat," Donald Andres, Insight Glass's president, told the council on Tuesday. "We do not feel that railroading this monstrosity in front of our facility ... is proper."

Andres said the company may move out of Benicia if the illuminated LED sign goes up in front of his property. He also threatened to sue the city to stop the project.

"Don't diminish the value of our property for your financial gain," Andres said. "Ultimately, we will both lose."

But the council voted 3 to 2 to approve the sign, which will flash ads every few seconds and help the city raise cash. The project was initially OK'd in January along with two other digital billboards, but a procedural error resulted in the item being reheard.

City officials recommended the project as part of ongoing lease negotiations with CBS Outdoor.

Andres argued that the project was permitted improperly because of the city's moratorium on new billboards. The city's sign ordinance prohibits new billboards, but allows existing ones to be replaced, modified or relocated.

City officials, however, said the project could go forward because the billboard will replace an existing sign at 4850 Park Road. However, the agreement under which the freeway sign was erected has since expired, raising more legal questions.

Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and council member Tom Campbell voted against the sign, as they did when two other digital billboards were approved in January.

Patterson argued that the project should have received broader environmental review. She also voiced concerns about conflicting research linking digital signs to distracted driving.

Campbell expressed concerns about a potential lawsuit, as well upsetting one of the city's largest taxpayers.

But council members Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman viewed the sign as a vital revenue source that could also help promote community events.

"We are expected to look out for what is best for the entire community," Hughes said. "... We need to look for what's best for everyone."